Ezekiel 14:7 - Homiletics.

God's answer.

"I the Lord will answer him by myself." The people inquire of the false prophets, but God himself will answer them. The question concerning the coming danger will be settled by the event. That will be God's answer, and it will put an end to all doubt on the one side, and to all deception on the other.

I. THE PROMISE OF GOD 'S ANSWER . There are questions which grievously perplex us, and to which, as yet, we can get no reply. Those that are frivolous may never be answered; e . g . Clement's illustration, "Whether the number of the stars be odd or even?" It can be of no use for us to know the answer to such a question. No doubt there are also greater problems which still do not concern us personally, and of these we may never lave the solution. There is no reason to suppose that we shall ever become omniscient. But, on the other hand, there are deep, heart-searching questions, which bear directly upon Our life. We crave an answer to such questions, and God will not leave us forever in the dark concerning them. We may have our patience tried for a season, but at length the light will dawn.

II. THE SOURCE OF GOD 'S ANSWER . It will come direct from himself. The foolish Jews inquired of false prophets. But not even a true prophet such as Ezekiel would be entrusted with the reply. God himself is to answer them. God does not act by proxy. He has servants and agents. But he is in them, and he can dispense with them altogether whenever he chooses. He has direct dealings with souls. If the answer comes from God, it must be true and sufficient. In momentous questions concerning the soul and its eternal life we cannot be satisfied with a reply from any delegated authority, not from the greatest prophet, apostle, or archangel. We want to hear the voice of God himself.

III. THE CHARACTER OF GOD 'S ANSWER . In the present case it was to be given by events. The destruction of Jerusalem was to be God's answer to the disputing Jews. That was as truly a Divine answer as a voice from heaven would have been, for the voice would have been a shaping of air waves, a work of God in nature. This event was God's working in providence. God speaks to us through his providence. History is a record of God's answers to man's questions. Such an answer has many merits.

1 . It is perceptible to all . The fall of Jerusalem sent a shock through the Jewish world.

2 . It is clear and unmistakable . God had threatened judgment. Would his threat prove true? Who could doubt the meaning of the terrible response?

3 . It is irreversible . An event which has once occurred can never be undone. The lessons of history are eternal.

IV. THE ADVENT OF GOD 'S ANSWER .

1 . It may come unsought . The faithless Jews neglected their God, and inquired for oracles from the false prophets. Yet he of whom they sought no word spoke by the awful thunders of judgment.

2 . It may come from an unexpected quarter . These unbelieving Jews were not expecting to hear the voice of God. Therefore they were made to hear it in most terrible tones. It is better not to wait for such a startling reply. God has spoken in the great events of Bethlehem and Calvary, and there his voice is one of grace and benediction.